Showing Houses in Charlottesville – On a Bike

(I’m trying to map all of my bike commuting rides)

Well that was fun. Saturday, I showed a few houses to buyer clients. And we each rode our bicycles; and I’m looking forward to doing it again. April was my first time showing a house on a bike and I’d been looking forward to doing it again. As this was my first time showing multiple houses with clients, I learned a few things.

If being closer to bike paths equates to higher property values, what better way to experience bike paths and on a bike?

Notes/lessons learned:

- Riding a bicycle is an infinitely better way to learn a neighborhood than riding in a car – taking in the smells (think Belmont BBQ), the sounds (trains in Charlottesville), topography (if you’re planning on commuting via bike).

- Showing houses on bicycles is not a great idea for the first few times going out with buyers – the time in the car is some of the most valuable I spend with clients as that is the time to listen and learn. Holding in-depth conversations on bicycles is difficult.

- Riding bikes in Charlottesville is fairly easy if you think a little bit about your route – where the hills are, whether you want to start uphill or downhill, etc.

- Nest is a perfect starting point – the roads around it are flat and the location is central.

- Riding bikes is not just about saving gas; and seeing houses on bikes requires a certain level of fitness.

- I don’t see this as a fad; gas may be a reason but there are many more reasons to keep this up.

- Having a quality murse for my iPad, lockbox key and other such necessities is crucial. I’m sure I’ll discover, at the most inconvenient time, something I have forgotten, but that’s part of the learning experience.

- My clients and I are going to have to like each other, perhaps more than ever; biking in Charlottesville can induce sweating.

If you’re interested in buying a home in Charlottesville and riding a bike to see houses, please contact me. I’m always up for an adventure.

Related:

- Charlottesville’s not Portland, but we’ll get there.

- Pedal to Properties, a real estate franchise based on showing properties via bicycle. (story on Pedal to Properties)